Role of nanoscale AlN and InN for the microwave characteristics of AlGaN/(Al,In)N/GaN-based HEMT

A new AlGaN/GaN-based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is proposed and its micro-wave characteristics are discussed by introducing a nanoscale AlN or InN layer to study the potential improvement in their high frequency performance. The 2DEG transport mechanism including various sub-band calculations for both (Al,In) N-based HEMTs are also discussed in the paper. Apart from direct current characteristics of the proposed HEMT, various microwave parameters such as transconductance, unit current gain (h ₂₁ = 1) cut-off frequency (f _t ), high power-gain frequency (f _max). Masons available/stable gain and masons unilateral gain are also discussed for both devices to understand its suitable deployment in microwave frequency range.     

Mixtures of poly(vinyl chloride) and copolyesters based on ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide: Miscibility,thermal stability,and weathering resistance

Properties of the blends of Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCLO) and copolyesters based on ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide (LLA) prepared by rolling were studied. Incorporating the LLA units into the structure of PCLO the content of the crystalline phase was controlled. Miscibility of the blends was assessed using DMA, and basic mechanical properties were correlated with the type and content of the polymer plasticizer. The PVC blends containing up to 20 wt parts polyesters were miscible. The presence of the LLA units in the copolyester influenced negatively the thermal stability. On the other hand even small content of copolyester in the blend enhanced the resistivity against aging. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Optical characterization of ultrananocrystalline diamond films

Optical properties of the ultrananocrystalline diamond films were studied by multi-sample method based on the combination of variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectroscopic reflectometry applied in the range 0.6–6.5 eV. The films were deposited by PECVD in a conventional bell jar (ASTeX type) reactor using dual frequency discharge, microwave cavity plasma and radio frequency plasma inducing dc self-bias at a substrate holder. The optical model of the samples included a surface roughness described by the Rayleigh–Rice theory and a refractive index profile in which Drude approximation was used. The results conformed with the present understanding of the polycrystalline diamond growth on the silicon substrate because the existence of silicon carbide and amorphous hydrogenated carbon film between the silicon substrate and nucleation layer was proved.     

Trace metals in Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea growing in constructed and natural wetlands

Constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow (HF CWs) designed for treatment of municipal sewage have been monitored extensively with respect to removal of organics, suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria. However, the information on the removal of various metals and metalloids in these systems is very limited. During the period 2002-2004 aboveground and belowground biomass of Phragmites australis (common reed) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) were sampled in three HF CWs in the Czech Republic. Concentrations of monitored elements in both aboveground and belowground plant tissues were similar to those found in plants growing in natural stands. The concentrations were much lower as compared to those found in plants growing in wetlands receiving acid mine drainage waters, waters from smelters or highway runoff. Concentrations decrease in the order of roots>rhizomes>leaves>stems. The leaf:stem concentration ratios were quite similar for all monitored elements ranging between 1.0 and 1.9. The root:leaf concentration ratio varied widely between 1.5 (Cu) and 54 (Cr) with a mean value of 20.0. Belowground/aboveground plant tissue concentration ratios varied from 2.2 (Cu) to 32 (Cr) with the average value of 9.9.     

Total content and speciation of aluminium in tea leaves and tea infusions

A total of 29 tea samples of different origin, 13 green tea samples, 13 black tea samples, two semi-fermented and one white tea, imported to the Czech Republic, were collected and analysed for total content of aluminium (Al) in tea leaves and tea infusions, as well as for Al compounds in these infusions. The total content of metals in tea leaves differs according to the type of tea (green or black) and is probably influenced by many factors, e.g., soil properties. The HPLC/IC speciation of Al in tea infusions was performed for all samples. The addition of Al³⁺ to the tea infusion proved that Al³⁺, Al(Y)²⁺ and Al(X)¹⁺ species can be determined in tea infusions. Increased extraction time did not show any affect on Al speciation, neither did the addition of sugar. After the addition of lemon juice, the speciation changed in one sample of black tea and five samples of green tea. These findings suggest that lemon juice as an additive can significantly influence Al speciation in tea infusions.     

α‐L‐Rhamnosyl‐β‐D‐glucosidase (Rutinosidase) from Aspergillus niger: Characterization and Synthetic Potential of a Novel Diglycosidase

We report the first heterologous production of a fungal rutinosidase (6‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosidase) in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant rutinosidase was purified from the culture medium to apparent homogeneity and biochemically characterized. The enzyme reacts with rutin and cleaves the glycosidic linkage between the disaccharide rutinose and the aglycone. Furthermore, it exhibits high transglycosylation activity, transferring rutinose from rutin as a glycosyl donor onto various alcohols and phenols. The utility of the recombinant rutinosidase was demonstrated by its use for the synthesis of a broad spectrum of rutinosides of primary (saturated and unsaturated), secondary, acyclic and phenolic alcohols as well as for the preparation of free rutinose. Moreover, the α‐L ‐rhamnosidase‐catalyzed synthesis of a chromogenic substrate for a rutinosidase assay – para‐nitrophenyl β‐rutinoside – is described.

     

Structural Basis for Antimicrobial Activity of Lasiocepsin

Lasiocepsin is a unique 27‐residue antimicrobial peptide, isolated from Lasioglossum laticeps (wild bee) venom, with substantial antibacterial and antifungal activity. It adopts a welldefined structure consisting of two α‐helices linked by a structured loop. Its basic residues form two distinct positively charged regions on the surface whereas aliphatic side chains contribute to solvent‐accessible hydrophobic areas, thus emphasising the amphipathic character of the molecule. Lasiocepsin structurally belongs to the ShK family and shows a strong preference for anionic phospholipids; this is further augmented by increasing concentrations of cardiolipin, such as those found at the poles of bacterial cells. The membrane‐permeabilising activity of the peptide is not limited to outer membranes of Gram‐negative bacteria. The peptide interacts with phospholipids initially through its N terminus, and its degree of penetration is strongly dependent on the presence of cardiolipin.     

Sorption of selenium oxyanions on TiO2 (rutile) studied by batch or column experiments and spectroscopic methods

Selenium is a known toxic element released in the environment by anthropogenic activities. The present study is devoted to the aqueous sorption behaviour of selenium oxyanions (selenate and selenite) on a reference oxide surface, namely rutile TiO(2). Batch sorption kinetics and isotherms have been studied using different physico-chemical conditions of the solution (changes of pH and ionic strength). The sorption was favoured for both anions in acidic conditions, in agreement with a surface complexation mechanism and CD-MUSIC predictions. Spectroscopic investigations of the sorbed rutile powder were also consistent with such a mechanism. EXAFS spectra confirmed that for selenite anions, an inner-sphere mechanism was the most probable process observed. Dynamic sorption experiments using a column filled with rutile powder also substantiated that a part of the surface complexes follows the inner-sphere mechanism, but also evidenced that an outer-sphere mechanism cannot be excluded, especially for selenate anions.     

Dielectric response and structure of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films with nitrogen admixture

The optical properties and structure of a-C:H films were modified by addition of nitrogen into the CH₄/H₂ deposition mixture. Three films prepared in capacitively coupled rf discharge were compared: (a) hydrogenated diamond like carbon film with hydrogen content of 34% and indentation hardness of 21.7 GPa, (b) hard a-C:H:N film with nitrogen content of 13% and indentation hardness of 18.5 GPa and (c) soft a-C:H:N film with nitrogen content of 10% and indentation hardness of 6.7 GPa. It is shown how the parametrized density of states model describing dielectric response of electronic interband transitions can be applied to modified a-C:H:N and how it can be combined with correct treatment of transmittance measured in infrared range using additional Gaussian peaks in joint density of phonon states. This analysis resulted in determination of film dielectric function in wide spectral range (0.045-30 eV) and provided also information about the density of states of valence and conduction bands and lattice vibrations.